Backyards lower than the street
On many San Francisco lots, the backyard is lower than the sidewalk. Water that collects there has nowhere to drain by gravity, so an exterior sump basin collects it and pumps it to a discharge point.
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Sump Pumps · San Francisco, CA
Exterior Sump Pumps & Yard Drainage in San Francisco, CA
Garcia's Landscape & Hardscape installs exterior sump basins, French drains and catch basins for San Francisco backyards and side passages. Many city lots sit below the street with no downhill outlet, so a sump basin with a pump is often the only way to move storm water away from the house.
- San Francisco 94112, 94116, 94122, 94127, 94131, 94132, 94134
- 18 years of experience
- Free estimates
Sump Pumps & Yard Drainage in San Francisco
What San Francisco homeowners should know
Side passages and garage entries
Narrow side yards between houses collect runoff from two roofs. A French drain under the walkway, feeding a sump basin, keeps the passage dry.
Ready before the rainy season
Most San Francisco rain falls between October and March. Installing and testing a system in early fall avoids a flooded yard in the first big storm.
Sump Pumps & Yard Drainage services we offer in San Francisco
Exterior sump basins, French drains and catch basins that collect water in low spots and side yards and move it away from your house.
- Exterior sump basins with pumps for low yards and side yards
- French drains with drain rock and perforated pipe
- Catch basins and area drains in patios and lawns
- Downspout connections to underground drain lines
- Drainage behind new and existing retaining walls
Exterior sump basin vs. gravity French drain
| Sump basin with pump | Gravity French drain | |
|---|---|---|
| When it fits | Low spots with no downhill outlet | Yards that can slope to an outlet |
| How it moves water | Pump lifts water to the discharge point | Gravity carries water along the pipe |
| Power | Needs an outdoor power source for the pump | No power needed |
| Upkeep | Check the pump and float before the rainy season | Keep inlets and outlet clear |
Our sump pumps process
- 1
Find the water
We look at where water collects, where it comes from and where it can legally go.
- 2
Drainage plan
We pick the mix of French drain, catch basins and sump basin for the site.
- 3
Excavation
We trench and dig the basin location with the right fall toward the outlet.
- 4
Install
We set the basin, pump and pipe in drain rock and fabric, and connect the discharge line.
- 5
Test
We run water through the system, check the pump cycles and restore the surface.
Sump Pumps & Yard Drainage in San Francisco: FAQ
Do you install interior basement sump pumps?
We focus on exterior drainage: sump basins in yards and side passages, French drains, catch basins and downspout lines. Interior work that needs new electrical circuits is for a licensed electrician or plumber.
Why does my San Francisco backyard flood?
Usually because the yard is lower than the street, the soil drains slowly, or roof water is dumped next to the house. The fix is to collect the water and either drain it by gravity or pump it out from a sump basin.
When is the best time to add yard drainage?
Before the rainy season, which in San Francisco runs roughly October through March. That leaves time to install and test the system before the first heavy storm.
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Ready to start your San Francisco project?
Garcia's Landscape & Hardscape builds sump pumps & yard drainage projects across San Francisco and nearby cities. Estimates are free.